Bilateral foot drop linked to rapid intentional weight loss and long distance walking.

Abstract

There are many causes of acute onset foot drop ranging from deep fibular nerve or sciatic nerve injury caused by trauma or a compressive mass such as a neuroma, to spinal cord disorders like disc herniation causing L4-5 radiculopathy. Even brain disorders like MS, stroke or ALS can result in foot drop and various muscular dystrophies affecting the tibialis anterior muscle responsible for foot dorsiflexion and eversion. We present a case of bilateral foot drop as a complication of rapid 70 lb weight loss which was described in literature previously as "slimmer's palsy".

Evaluating Acute Bilateral Foot Drop: A Case Report

“…The most common cause of unilateral foot drop is lumbar disc herniation or foraminal stenosis at the L4-L5 level of the lumbar spine. Bilateral foot drop with acute onset can result from many etiologies, including injury to the deep fibular or sciatic nerves, a compressive neuroma, muscular dystrophy that affects both tibialis anterior muscles, central nervous system pathologies (multiple sclerosis, stroke, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), and even rapid intentional weight loss [ 4 ]. It is also important to note that some cases of acute bilateral foot drop may have a hereditary component, such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease [ 5 ].…”

Bilateral common peroneal neuropathy due to rapid and marked weight loss after biliary surgery: A case report

“…Most reported cases of slimmer’s paralysis were caused by weight loss after bariatric surgery, anorexia nervosa or intentional diet, and most of them are unilateral neuropathy[ 3 , 6 - 9 ]. Occasionally, bilateral peroneal neuropathy has been reported, but this was also due to the aforementioned causes[ 4 , 10 ]. However, no cases of bilateral peroneal neuropathy due to weight loss after abdominal surgery other than bariatric surgery have been reported[ 8 ].…”